Alison Hammond cherishes chance to spend time with her son
The This Morning presenter is grateful her grown-up son Aidan still wants to go on holiday with her at all.
What did you miss?
Alison Hammond has admitted she feels grateful that her son still wants to spend time with her.
The This Morning presenter has teamed up with 19-year-son Aidan for new BBC travel show Florida Unpacked. And in the latest episode of the show to air on Tuesday, 28 January single mum Hammond, 49, confessed how lucky she feels to be able to cherish the extra time working with her son.
Following the show's launch, Hammond faced a backlash from sone viewers, who complained that their TV licence fee was being wasted on a "celeb jolly". But Hammond revealed she and Aidan have been holidaying in Florida together every year for the past 14 years.
What, how, and why?
In the second episode of Florida Unpacked, Hammond shared cute phots of Aidan when he was a young boy as she reminisced on all their family holidays in America's Sunshine State together. She told him: "Do you know you've been to Orlando every year of you life since you were five-years-old?" The pair admitted that every year they visit Disney World and the other theme parks. Hammond said: "Aiden we've been here so many times I want to see other parts really."
As they set out on a road trip out of Orlando, to explore what else Florida had to offer, Hammond reflected how fortunate she felt that her grown-up son still wanted to go on holiday with her.
She said: "For many years its been just me and Aidan, a two person family unit. And I love the fact that in that time we become not just mum and son, but great friends as well. Do you know what's so lovely is the fact that you even want to spend time with me. Honestly, so many 19-year-olds do not want to be spending time with their mum, you know. It's so lovely."
Read more: Alison Hammond
TV boss told Alison Hammond to 'never post without make-up' (BANG Showbiz, 2 min read)
Alison Hammond's simple diet change that reversed her prediabetes (Leicestershire Live, 2 min read)
Alison Hammond supported by celebrity pals as she says 'I'll always be enough' in candid post (Manchester Evening News, 2 min read)
Hammond added: "I like to think Aiden just enjoys being with me, but there is another explanation, and he's not shy about admitting it." He quipped: "You paid for a lot of my food."
The second episode of the 10-part series, airing on weekday evenings on BBC Two, saw the pair set out to find affordable things to do on holiday in Orlando outside of the theme parks. They booked on a free tour with the local fire service, helped make sandwiches at a family-run Italian deli, and stayed the night at a horror-themed motel.
At the end Hammond concluded: "Look at us, we're smiling, we're loving being together, and he's not costing me a bomb."
What do viewers say about Alison Hammond's Florida Unpacked?
The idea of BBC Two's teatime travel series is to show viewers how they can enjoy the popular US tourist destination on a tight budget. Hammond and Aidan travel across the Sunshine State in a campervan, taking in some of the most famous sites that they can visit without breaking the bank.
But the premise of the show has angered some viewers, who felt it was essentially a free holiday for Hammond and her son, funded by BBC licence payers.
One wrote on social media platform X: "BBC standards reach an all time low. She and her offspring are annoying loud and obnoxious. Remind me…..how many times has she ‘been to Florida’ or ‘stepped back in time’!! She’s always ‘saving money’ (err licence fee)…..they must not have paid for many words!!"
Another viewer posted: "So #AlisonHammond has ripped off #breakingdad @BradleyWalsh @barneywalsh on the @BBC . Well i won't be watching as she drives me mad #worsrtvpresenterever"
Somebody else commented: "Why is the BBC funding an ITV presenter to go to America?"
And another fumed: "No thank you. I object so strongly in paying for this programme via my licence fee. In such bad taste too when so many in the UK are struggling to keep warm and feed themselves well."
But others were more positive. One tweeted: "Aiden is quite a good presenter! #floridaunpacked"
And another person shared: "@AlisonHammond Watching your programmes with Aiden in Florida. Excellent entertainment and information. Thank you!"
Alison Hammond's Florida Unpacked airs on BBC Two at 6:30pm on weekdays.
